Peggy Fikac: The great debate debate

Gov. Rick Perry has agreed to a meet his opponents that night in a debate sponsored by Belo Corp.

So is independent challenger Carole Keeton Strayhorn dancing in the streets at the news?

She is not.

Strayhorn’s campaign contends Perry agreed to debate on Oct. 6 because it’s the weekend that the University of Texas plays OU. Her camp calls it “a clear attempt to deny Texans an open, well-viewed debate over his record of failed leadership.”

Perry campaign spokesman Robert Black shot back, “Is she complaining? I thought she said that she would debate ‘anytime, anyplace’? Must be one of those ‘I’m Comptroller 24/7 but I never knew about my office giving $130 million to my largest campaign contributors client’ type things.”